Cure for my dry eyes

[dryeyes4ever]

I've had dry eyes my whole life (I'm 50) but they've gotten progressively worse over the years. I've had my tear ducts cauterized (twice) & use Restasis as well as over the counter tears daily.

My eye dr. said there was nothing more he could do. I went on the internet & searched "dry eye specialist in NJ" & found Dr. Ed Harmer at Omni Eye Group in West Orange, NJ. After a thorough examination, he told me I have "upper eyelid disease" (I'm sure there's a much more technical name) & said I've had it my whole life & that's why I have dry eyes. He has me on 2 steroid eye drops (AzaSite & Lotemax) that I use 1 drop 2 times a day. It's been 4 weeks & there's a huge improvement & he said by 8 weeks, my eyes should be normal! I've NEVER had normal eyes/tears! It is truly a miracle.

If your doctor has never prescribed these steroid eyedrops, you should ask why not.

I just wanted to share my story to help other people suffering from chronic dry eyes.

[mar100]

Hi,

great news for you! how was the azasite on application? Did it sting? I'm hearing that people are rubbing it along lid margins while eyes are closed, which helps and Dr ******g apparently recommends that. On the lotemax, my eyes are fine on application but then they sting a few mins later until I put some normal drops in. On them a week and praying they work.....

[dryeyes4ever]

My dr. told me to use the Azasite first before the Lotemax & Restasis. I read the info from the pharmacy & it said to put the drop in the lower lid & then using your index fingers, press on the inner corner of your eyes & keep your eyes closed for 1-2 mins. I find this lessens the stinging A LOT. My dr. also said to wait at least a few mins. in between applying each medicine. I do find sometimes my eyes are uncomfortable after the Azasite until I use the Lotemax or Restasis. I do the same thing as far as using the index fingers on the inner corner of my eyes w/the Lotemax & Restatis too.

I've been using the 2 steroid drops for 4 weeks now & there's a huge improvement, but I still have a long way to go & my dr. said by 8 weeks, I should be "cured".

It truly will be a miracle & I'm remaining hopeful!

[magoo]

Just fyi, Azasite is not a steroid, it is an antibiotic.

[kitty]

FYI, steroids can increase your IOP and result in steroid induced glaucoma. Please be sure to have your eye pressure monitored regularly if you are using steroids such as Lotemax. Also, ocular steroids can cause cataracts with long-term use.

[dryeyes4ever]

Still having bad days

I've been back to the specialist twice. He's re-examined my eyes & my right eye is about 65% better & the left one, about 50%. I'm to continue the Azasite for 4 more weeks, 1 drop a day & the Lotemax too 2 x a day. He's having me use Restasis 3 x a day now rather than just 2. I still have REALLY bad days like today where my left eye has been burning ALL day; feels like I just chopped a ton of onions & has felt like this all day. Working on a computer all day certainly doesn't help, but it's my job.

He also said hormones will play a part in my dry eyes especially when I go through menopause. He said to drink at least 64 oz. of water a day, & it also doesn't help that it's winter now so the air is extremely dry. Alchohol will also cause dryness & not enough sleep.

I'm still hopefull that after 4 more weeks w/a total of 12 weeks on these prescription drops, my eyes will be much improved. I've had some great days, but just wish they were consistent. It's just very frustrating & hard for people (other than people here) to understand what's it's like to go through life w/dry eyes!!!

[ladyjenn]

Tobradex

I was prescribed Tobradex which is both an antibiotic and a steriod...and I can see clearly again!

[Rebecca Petris]

Dryeyes4ever...

Dryeyes4ever, how are you doing now?

[y-gwair]

Did your specialist give you a more precise diagnosis for your upper eyelid disease? Mine wrote to say that I have papillary conjunctivitis due to severe aqueous deficiency (in addition to corneal inflammation) and prescribed steroid drops (maxidex), but after 2 weeks the treatment hasn't been anywhere near as effective as I'd hoped, and I suspect any benefits will cease once I finish tapering the dose. I'd be curious to know if your improvements have continued since your last post?

[tina671]

I thought lotemax was for short term use only...

My opth put me on lotemax too when I started restasis, but warned that I could only use the lotemax for about 2 months. It gave me almost instant relief...but he said that he wouldn't re-prescribe it -- it causes glaucoma and eyes will also become resistant to it after a while.

[dryeyes4ever]

Dryeyes4ever, how are you doing now?

I still have really bad days which is very discouraging. I was back to see the specialist in Jan. & he can see improvement when he examines me but I really don't notice it. My left eye has always been worse & he said it's really taking longer to get better & I'm to continue w/the Azasite & Lotemax for another 2 months (I've been using both drops for 3 months already) & the Restasis 3 x a day. He says the glands in my lower lids where the oil comes from to help w/my tear quality are starting to open; they were completely closed in my left eye & 90% closed in the right. If I can get my left eye to feel like my right eye, I'll be happy. My left eye has been really bothering me for 4 days in a row now; I had to cancel dinner plans on Friday night because after being at work all week, looking at a computer, my eyes are SO red & burning out of my head by Friday evening. My eyes have never been as bad as they've been since last fall; I don't know if it's age related, but my quality of life has really done down hill the past 6 months. I do find that getting at least 9 hours of sleep a night helps a lot but it's not always easy to do w/kids, etc.

Thanks for asking & let me know if you have any other advice or suggestions.

[dryeyes4ever]

Did your specialist give you a more precise diagnosis for your upper eyelid disease? Mine wrote to say that I have papillary conjunctivitis due to severe aqueous deficiency (in addition to corneal inflammation) and prescribed steroid drops (maxidex), but after 2 weeks the treatment hasn't been anywhere near as effective as I'd hoped, and I suspect any benefits will cease once I finish tapering the dose. I'd be curious to know if your improvements have continued since your last post?

It's blepharitis which I've had my entire life. My lids used to be all crusty every morning when I was around 4 years old. The crustiness got better, but I've had red eye lids my whole life & just figured there was nothing I could do about it. Thank God for make-up & that I'm a woman so I can wear concealer!!! I'm just tired of the pain w/the feeling like there's always something in my eyes; especially my left one & going around w/such blood shot eyes all the time; very embarrassing & makes me very self conscious.

I saw the dr. again in Jan. & he can see improvement in the glands in my lower lids where the oils are produced to help w/my tear quality. My left eye is taking much longer to improve. I'm to continue w/the Azasite & Lotemax for another 2 months (already been using them for 3 months) as well as the Restasis 3 x a day. Getting a lot of sleep helps a lot; my eyes usually feel much better on the weekends when I sleep in & don't look at a computer monitor. I'm curious to see if my eyes are much improved in 2 months & will let everyone know. The dry winter air certainly isn't helping; can't wait for Spring!

[Margaret]

how are you?

Have you tried Doxy along with Azasite? I know throwing the kitchen sink isn't the best way to go at things but I wonder if it wouldn't help to get at the problem from the inside and outside at the same time...

How are you doing?

[dryeyes4ever]

Doing Great!

Have you tried Doxy along with Azasite? I know throwing the kitchen sink isn't the best way to go at things but I wonder if it wouldn't help to get at the problem from the inside and outside at the same time...

How are you doing?

I'm doing great thanks! I was at the doctor in March. He said my tear production has improved as well as the quality of my tears.

I'm off the Azasite & he said to only use the Lotemax when I feel I really need it. I'm still using Restasis 3 x a day. I still have evenings (once a week or so) when my eyes feel like there is sand in them (especially my left eye) but it's usually when I haven't had a good night's sleep. I find that I need a solid 8-9 hours of good sleep for my eyes to feel their best. On those nights where my eyes are gritty & burning, I just go to bed early.

I go back for another check up in 3 months.